'Roll on 2027' as Fleadh 2026 in Belfast comes to an end
Belfast recently hosted the All Ireland Fleadh, a major traditional music festival that attracted over a million visitors. Organizers hailed the event as a historic success for community cohesion and confirmed the festival will return to the city in 2027.
Why it matters
The event highlights the role of large-scale cultural festivals in fostering social unity and boosting local economies in post-conflict regions.
Image source, Belfast City Council Image caption, Crowds of people flocked to Belfast's Cathedral Quarter during the Fleadh
The first All Ireland Fleadh in Belfast ended in the early hours of Monday morning with organisers saying they were overwhelmed by the positive response they received from all communities.
It is estimated that there were more than a million people in the city centre during the eight days of the fleadh.
At least 4,000 were still in the grounds of Belfast City Hall at 01:00 BST to hear the closing speeches and final tunes.
Niall McClean, co-chair of the organising committee, told the crowd they were all part of an historic event.
He said: "We've done something that has never, ever happened in this city before. We've brought every single community together – and everybody has absolutely loved it."
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